Touchy Clutch

370er

I'm learning manual for the first time after driving auto for 7 years. I'm finding the clutch really hard to be smooth with, particularly going into 1st gear. It feels like it's fighting against my foot When going into 1st gear what should I have the revs at? Is it easier to just start in 2nd gear?

Nick911sc

Don't just start in second...

Honestly, this is the first car I've owned that's manual as well. You just need to play around with it until you get it right. At this point I don't even look at the rpm when I'm starting from a dead stop. Just go by feeling/hearing when you get more comfortable.

Knives

I'm usually slightly above the 1k range I believe. But I dont really look at the tach. But, if your starting on flat ground, or a slight incline, your should keep it in first. Also, I don't really find the clutch to all that rough when engaging first. Going into second is another story.

Modshack

From years of experience driving older gearboxes that don't syncro into first well or easily, I've gotten into the habit of pulling it into second then pushing forward into first. Tends to slow the gear spinning and allows for easier engagement. Try it and see if it doesn't help..

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Red370

great idea. Also, when going into 1st, get your RPMs to about 1.5k, slowly let the clutch out while keeping the throttle constant, should have zero bog and it'll slip into gear smoothly. The trick is keeping the RPMs constant without allowing them to dip below 1.5

lovethe370z

When at the dealership I test drove three Zs that when you raised the RPM in first while moving, then jumped on the clutch, there would be this strange "clang clang clang" noise coming from the bell housing / transmission area of the car. Has anyone experienced this? Gear slap maybe? Or clutch??

It was very disconcerting.

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corbin09

X2.. I believe what you are talking about is what i call clutch slap... not sure if that term is correct. But i am pretty sure that the noise you are talking about is the clutch. Anyone else have any ideas?

jookiyaya

thats the new clutch youre hearing.
when i first got my Z i think 2 weeks down the line before i got fired, i was kinda pissed off for some reason i dont remember (maybe the idea that i was GOING to be fired) and i remember coming home and popping the clutch in reverse and parking into my garage all within less than 15 seconds. which is ridiculous because normal conditions take 2+ minutes for me.

within this time frame, with a bit of anger and rage remaining from work related crap, i distinctly remember hearing that 'clanging' sound from within the chassis below my seat, and i was thinking sh!*, then i realized, my 2000 civic didnt do that, then i remembered my salesperson from nissan calling me nonstop for 2 weeks saying the trade in went foul because the clutch on the civic was that bad.

my point is, during the whole time i had my civic and rough driving, never ever did i hear 'clanging'. then again i never had a new vehicle. this civic was back from 2000.

so to sum it up, go easy , be gentle , she will reward you ^__^ haha

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